Dynasty Warriors 7: Empires - PS3

With Dynasty Warriors 7: Empires the long-lived series sets about forging a new kind of hero on the battlefield - the player. The emphasis is shifted from the historical figures roaming the game's environments and set squarely on the person pushing the buttons.

Continuing the tradition of focusing on both combat and strategy, the game gives you a number of paths to follow. You might gain fame and dominate your nation as a 'ruler', use tactics and planning to your advantage as a 'strategist' or become a mercenary selling your services as a 'free officer'. This is all built towards through the decisions you make on the battlefield, and your actions - be they protecting people or building your own wealth and power - will impact your role and position.

On the tactical front, players can make use of 'strategems', which might involve manipulating the environment with floods or rockslides, unleashing lethal volleys of arrows on the enemy or even enhancing individual characters' abilities.

Complementing this high level of choice is the revamped edit mode, which allows you to tinker with weapon animation, personality, facial features and more to build your own character. Of course, if that's not your style you won't be stuck for choice. There are now a whopping 66 playable characters.